American Idol

[tinkerbell615]

If you want to be considered to possibly be a contestant at the American Idol Experience, how do you go about doing that? I really am hoping my DS will try when we are there. We always watch the show and he has joked about going to the auditions that have been close to us. I thought it would be fun for him to try at WDW.

 

[art010606]

when you get there, which you wanna try to get there early since they can fill up, go like you are walking to the comissary (the route between american idol and great movie ride) and it will be on your left if your headed towards star tours. or if you walk from star tours, take a right once you get to the fork next to the speeder bike you can take a picture on.

http://www.orlandowelcomecenter.com/espanol/images/Disney-MGM-Studios-Map.jpg

if you look at this map, its on the opposite side of the 1, kinda where the mickey hand is pointing. i dont have all the maps saved like robo. if you need i can save it and use gimp to highlight for you.

 

[tinkerbell615]

when you get there, which you wanna try to get there early since they can fill up, go like you are walking to the comissary (the route between american idol and great movie ride) and it will be on your left if your headed towards star tours. or if you walk from star tours, take a right once you get to the fork next to the speeder bike you can take a picture on.

http://www.orlandowelcomecenter.com/espanol/images/Disney-MGM-Studios-Map.jpg

if you look at this map, its on the opposite side of the 1, kinda where the mickey hand is pointing. i dont have all the maps saved like robo. if you need i can save it and use gimp to highlight for you.

Thanks so much!

I am sure that quite of few of you have probably done this. What were your experiences?

 

[TDC Nala]

Your son can bring a family member or friend with him for the audition process. I was the #1 fan for a friend last year. He got the second singing slot for a show, so they put us in the introductory video they do of the contestant in the park, and doing his audition.

 

[TCARON]

I have seen about 10 American Idol shows and would like to try out for it but am scared to death!

How do I finally make myself try out for a performance?

I would be singing "You'll Be in My Heart."

Thanks!

Tom C

 

[iheartdolewhips]

Just know going into it that they turn away a LOT more people than they let on the stage. When I auditioned last year, the woman that auditioned me said that every day 300+ audition, about 30 get selected for a second audition, and 21 make it on the stage. With those numbers, you've got a 90% or greater chance of not even making it to the second audition. And it's not all about singing ability either - I know someone who can barely stay on key and sings very nasally that got the second audition and made it on stage, but when I auditioned and the woman loved my voice and said I should be on Broadway, but turned me away because I'm "not like Christina Aguilera" and that's what they were looking for that day. If you get your hopes up of being on stage, you're probably going to end up disappointed, so just audition for the fun of auditioning and enjoy it if you do end up making it further.

 

[lesliejmorris]

My daughter did this last July, check out day three of our trip report....so much fun!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2238281

 

[goofy4tink]

Get to DHS as early as you can. Even before the gates open, they sometimes have an AI CM wandering through the masses, looking for people to audition. That is how my dd, then 15, got to audition early..even before the park opened. Then, she was taken to just inside the turnstiles, off to the left, where she sang, acappella, for some CMs. She was then taken to the actual AI building where she sat and chose a few songs to sing for a producer. They have iPod type things that have instrumentals only or instrumental and vocals for a ton of different songs. You choose two or three since they will have only one audition per day for each song. Then, you go to the producers office where you will sing both songs. If they like you, you will be told which show they want you in. You will be given a return time to come back to the 'studio' to go into hair, makeup and work with a vocal coach. Then, on to the onstage rehearsal, then the show itself.
If you are under 17, you have to have an adult with you at all times.

 

[Kidztheater]

Yes, they are definitely looking for something specific. I have worked professionally in musicals and am part of the actors union. I went in and heard people doing 2nd auditions who could not sing on key and thought that they would love me, but the casting person told me my "technique was too good and I needed to mess up my voice". She also gave the WORST advice ever which was "listen to some pop CDs and try to copy their voices". As a teacher to many Broadway and professional child performers I was mortified that someone out there was telling auditioners to copy people's voices!

 

[tinkerbell615]

My daughter did this last July, check out day three of our trip report....so much fun!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2238281

Looks like she had a blast. Congratulations!! It must have been amazing for her to do so well.

 

[mbb]

Picture it....

Day after my 40th birthday.

We arrive at DHS, and had no idea that AIE was even open.
February 2009.
A nice CM approaches us (2 grandparents, DH, me, my DB, and DSIL, our 2 kids, and 3 yr old nephew) just as we're coming through the turnstiles..and yes, we're singing our "We're Here! We're Here!!" song, and happy dancing up the street.

"Would one of you like to participate in AIE??"
"Ummm, YES!...ok, what is it??"
Tip #1:
When a CM at WDW asks if you would to ________________, ANYTHING, we say yes

She explains the process...my DB and I decide we're naturals, our dad goes with him, our mom comes with me, DH and SDIL take the kiddoes to TSM, and off we all go!

Into the first audition room.
Mom and I meet Kate.
She's great, that Kate
Asks me to sing whatever we've been singing lately.

"Happy Birthday!!"
She laughs, and I start to sing.

Puts her hand up.
"OK, you can stop now. Off you go!!"
"Where??"
"To your next audition!!!"

Off we go!!!

Mom and I were escorted into the CocaCola Red Room, lots of people with headphones and Ipods.
Pick 2 songs.

Tip #2
Never *pretend* you know how to work an Ipod.
Just ask

So, being a Canadian Girl, and knowing that I'm better as Celine's back-up singer, and not her headliner, I choose Shania Twain's Man I Feel Like a Woman.

And Life is a Highway as a backup.

Armed with my newfound IPod knowledge, I run through the songs a few times, and off I go for my 2nd audition.

This room is a little more intimidating.

It's darker, there's a spotlight (Hello! Yes, Mr DeMille, I am ready!!), and sing my heart out for all my forty year old lady peeps in the "pretend" audience".

We're not skinny.
We're not all taut and toned like we want to be, but!
Man, we know that we're women!!


My mom - my #1 Fan - was more excited than I was....and when they turned on Ryan Seacrest, and TaDA!!

I'm on American Idol!!!

Oh my!!

Video taped spots, sooooo much fun!
Hair, make up, and vocal coaching!!

Dress Rehearsal Time!!!

Remember all the people we had coming in with us?
We also had 7 more members of our extended family in Clermont.

So we called 'em.
And they came!

I had 17 fans in the audience....and just as I'm singing during rehearsal, the CMs bring them all in screaming and cheering.



Tip #3
Life is good.
Celebrate it whenever you can.
And when you have a cheering section, you win no matter what.

Backstage for a little more rehearsal.

The CMs are amazing.
So supportive, funny, and just all round wonderful

And we're on!!
Judges were awesome, yes, even "Simon"

Apparently, I sing with all the joy of a woman from a country with a National Health Care Plan

Show ends, I came in 2nd to a terrifically talented dad from Kansas, who sang amazing to his wife

But to my friends and family, who still laugh and celebrate my American Idol Experience, and to all my "fans" at DHS that day, who said such lovely things to me, all over the park, and asked for my autograph - wow!! I came in first.

It was a great Experience.
It really was.

Tip #4
Sing like there's no one listening.
And belt it so everyone can hear!! LOL

 

[disneyfreak89]

I'm on American Idol!!!It was a great Experience.

Do they give you anything to show for participating?

 

[luv2tvl]

I have been lucky enough to be in the show twice over the last two years, and am hoping to try again this Feb. when we head back... It's the experience of a lifetime for those of us that love the show.

You don't get anything as a participant except a TON of great pictures, and a lanyard that says "vote for me". The memories were priceless.

The experience itself makes you seem like an winner no matter what the outcome!! Such a fun time!

 

[TDC Nala]

Do they give you anything to show for participating?

There are no prizes or "lovely parting gifts" except for the golden ticket to a real American Idol audition, which you can't use if you are under 16 or over 28.

And if they're really going on the last season of the show I don't know where one could use it at all in the future.

 

[MelissathePooh]

I was actually wondering if anyone ever went to this attraction??? Everytime we go it seems like they are desparately trying to drum up people to try out or go to the show itself. We've never done it. Not particularly interested in the tv show as it is. We always wonder how long it will last - of course I think that same thing about the tv show too...

Reminds me of WWTBAM - people complained it had no repeat value and it was gone in less than 2 years I think! I kinda liked that one, but only because I got in the hot seat once at DCA

 

[Grumpy175]

Is it possible to find out who won the dream ticket on any given day. We usually do a qualifier but never do the finale